While the WD-57731 may be the junior member of Mitsubishi's 731 DLP series, it still produces a beautiful picture that brings out the best in HD programming. Like the 65-inch WD-65731, the 57-inch WD-57731 uses Mitsubishi's Plush1080p processing to up-convert content to 1,080p, and its six-color light engine delivers vivid, true-to-life images. While it does have an underpowered audio system and only a single tuner for PIP functions, the WD-57731 is nevertheless an impressive big-screen HDTV.

The WD-57731 has a native resolution of 1,920X1,080, so it can resolve every pixel of 1,080i HD broadcasts. Other broadcast formats are scaled to fit the screen, which can cause standard-definition programming to exhibit some artifacts and other interference. However, this tends to be a problem with many big-screen TVs and isn't unique to the WD-57731. The six-color processing system calibrates not only the traditional colors of red, green and blue, but also yellow, magenta and cyan. The result of all this is a sharp and bright HD picture with clear whites and deep blacks, although the black levels can't quite compare with those produced by CRT-based televisions.

An integrated ATSC tuner decodes HD signals without an external set-top box, and the WD-57731 has a QAM tuner and CableCARD slot for digital cable readiness. There is split-screen PIP, but since the WD-57731 is a single-tuner design, an external tuner such as a VCR or DVD recorder is needed to fully enable multiwindow viewing. The included multibrand remote control has illuminated buttons and fits comfortably in your hand, but the button layout leaves something to be desired and it lacks direct access to the video inputs.

The stereo speakers are located below the screen, which saves footprint space but reduces the stereo separation. The total audio output is only 20 watts, which is underpowered for a TV of this size. On the plus side, the WD-57731 has multiple audio presets, as well as simulated surround sound and automatic volume leveling. A coaxial digital audio output lets you route the sound to a home theater receiver.

The WD-57731 has a full range of inputs and outputs. In addition to a set of composite video/S-video inputs on the front panel, the rear panel has two more composite video/S-video inputs, two RF inputs, two component video inputs, two HDMI inputs that are 1,080p-compatible, two IEEE 1394 inputs, the coaxial audio output and the CableCARD slot. This HDTV is PC-compatible, with a DVI-I input for XGA and SXGA signals.

There are some drawbacks to the DLP design in general and this HDTV in particular, but overall, the Mitsubishi WD-57731 produces a sharp 1,080p picture that is worth the somewhat expensive price.

Pros: Highly detailed 1,080p picture, six-color processing, good connection selection
Cons: Single-tuner PIP, limited audio output, poorly designed remote control

Warranty
1 year parts and labor